Theophilus Thompson

Theophilus Augustus Thompson (born April 21, 1855 in Frederick, Maryland)cite web | url = http://www.thechessdrum.net/drummajors/T_Thompson.html | title = Theophilus Thompson: Master Emeritus | accessdate = 2007-03-14 ] cite web | url = http://www.thechessdrum.net/historicmoments/HM_Thompson/index.html | title = The Caged Bird: The Story of T.A. Thompson | first = Neil R. | last = Brennen | date = 2006 | accessdate = 2007-03-14 ] is considered the first African American chess player recognized in the United States.cite news | title = Kings of a Different Game | page = C01 | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/10/AR2007031001383.html | publisher = Washington Post | first = Avis | last = Thomas-Lester | date = 2007-03-11 | accessdate = 2007-03-14 ]

Thompson's parents were slaves. In 1868, he worked as a house servant in Carroll County, Maryland. In April 1872, John K. Hanshew, the publisher of "The Maryland Chess Review", gave Thompson a chess board and some chess problems to solve.

Thompson's fame grew and he went to a number of tournaments [cite web | title = The Rising of the Black Star | url = http://beta.uschess.org/frontend/news_7_285.php | first = Daaim | last = Shabazz | accessdate = 2007-03-14 | publisher = United States Chess Federation ] but ultimately gained lasting fame for his book of endgame positions, "Chess Problems: Either to Play and Mate". It was published by Orestes Brownson Jr., the editor of the "Dubuque Chess Journal."

Thompson seemed to have disappeared as soon as he arrived. It was rumored that he may have fallen prey to a racial lynching at a young age, but his disappearance remains a mystery.

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